A.L. ‘Punk’ Bonner, Jr

A.L. ‘Punk’ Bonner, Jr.

On June 2^nd, Punk “mosey’d” on home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Punk was surrounded by loved ones that praised God for creating a man that loved us, our families, our friends; and could serve his community with leadership accomplished by one who was a servant first. 

A.L. ‘Punk’ Bonner, Jr. was born to Ruby & Arthur Bonner in Indiahoma, Oklahoma on December 10, 1935.  After graduating from Lawton High School and being a member of the Corp at Texas A & M, he transferred to Oklahoma A & M and graduated with a degree in Animal Husbandry.  During his stay at Oklahoma A & M he was a member or ROTC, Block & Bridle, and a lifelong brother to the members of Alpha Gamma Rho.  Punk married Katy Kay Keathley on December 28, 1957 and they moved back to Lawton and raised three children: Katy Beth, Bob and Becky. 

Lawton recognized Punk’s civic contribution as a member of Jaycee’s Junior Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Rotary Club, 4-H Club and Wichita Mt. Sunrise Service, by awarding him 1961 Outstanding Young Man of Lawton.  Punk contributed to the youth of Lawton by being President of the School Board as well as Little League Coach and taking the First United Methodist Youth Group on “Mystery Trips”.  Punk also served his country in the Oklahoma National Guard for  14 years being honorably discharged at the rank of Captain.  He was a Master Mason in  Lawton Triangle lodge 548, 32nd degree mason in Guthrie, OK , York Rite in Lawton, OK Shriner in India Shrine Temple, and a member of the Old Wheels Unit. 

In Lawton, Punk was a plant manager for Katy-K Meat Packers.  When he moved his family to Garber, Punk joined the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, retiring as the Director of the Plant Industry.  Governor Frank Keating awarded him for his work for the state by proclaiming July 1, 1998 as A.L. “Punk” Bonner Day. 

A sad day for Punk was March 1, 1997 when Katy Kay passed away.  After traveling solo for two years, he asked Pat Rhodd to be his jeeping partner and they married on July 24, 1999.  Enjoying their retirement they crisscrossed the U.S. visiting family, friends, and AGR buddies.  They even ventured across the pond and took Pat’s daughter Suzanne and her two girls; Ashley and Amber with them to the “Big Ben”.  Great memories were made and great photos where taken. 

Punk and Pat joined the Village United Methodist Church where he served as church secretary and president.  They both enjoyed serving Oklahoma in the Agricultural Aviation Association.  Punk served as executive director in 1998 and was made a honorary member.  His last accomplishment was serving on the BritVil Community Food Pantry, organizing the purchase of land and building their new site. The most surprising accomplishment for Punk came from his AGR brothers honoring him with the Pi Chapter Hall of Fame in 2014. 

Punk is survived by: his wife Pat Wilhelm Rhodd Bonner, his sister Jo Morris, his children and their spouses: Gregg and Katy Beth Chostner and their three children: Justin (Eunsook), Tyrell, and Kilee (Isaac); Bob and Marcia Beth Bonner and their two children Bo (Robyn) and Bobby Jay (Clarissa); and Randy and Becky Mannschreck and their two children Brad and Ryan; Teresa and Jim Bath and their two children: Rachel and Ryan; Suzanne Bray and her three daughters: Ashley and Amber Bray, and Sarah (Jose) Santana; great-grandchildren: Elias, Stella, Antonia, and Finnian Bonner, Aiden Chostner, and Caleb, Daniel and Joshua Santana.  A celebration of life for A.L. “Punk” Bonner, Jr. will be held at Village United Methodist Church on June 7^th at 5:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, information on donating to OSU Wesley Foundation, OSU AGR Educational Foundation and VUMC.

OSU Wesley Foundation

823 West University Avenue

Stillwater, OK 74074

Tel: 405.372.5830

Village United Methodist Church

2501 West Britton Road

Oklahoma City, OK 73120

Tel: 405.751.8116

Oklahoma State University Alpha Gamma Rho

Educational Foundation

C/O Mr. Al Hudson

5011 West Elk

Duncan, OK 73533